By Greentech Lead Team: Eldorado Coffee Roasters, a full-line vertical coffee
roasting firm announced the commissioning of a 240.24 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic
PV system at its worldwide headquarters in Maspeth, Queens.
The solar array is expected to produce more than 280,000
kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean energy annually, enough to power the entire
facility. The solar system will eliminate more than 500,000 lbs of CO2, 500 lbs
of NOx and 2000 lbs of SO2 emissions from the air annually.
Eldorado Coffee Roasters is always seeking better ways to
roast and pack the finest coffees in the world and the solar project will be
the perfect fit for its green initiative. With this solar system installation
Eldorado Coffee Roasters becomes the only green coffee roaster in New York
City.
The project was engineered, constructed, and financed by
Solar Energy Systems (SES). SES will operate and maintain
the system. SES will sell the solar power to Eldorado at a discounted rate via
a power purchase agreement (PPA).
To finance the project, SES obtained Recovery and Reinvestment
Act (ARRA) funds through NYSERDA, and a federal tax incentive.
“Eldorado continues to be a great partner in helping
SES launch its first solar PPA in New York City. Its commitment to deliver
a more environmentally responsible product has been the driving force behind
the whole project. With funding provided by the New York State Energy
Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), combined with federal, state and
local tax incentives, the project is also a financial winner,” said David
Buckner, president of SES.
Last year Solar Energy Systems, Greenpoint Energy
Partners and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
(NYSERDA) partnered with
Broadway Stages on a solar energy system that will reduce the film stage’s
energy costs by more than $70,000 annually.